Camera mounting



Feb. 25, 71936.

A. c. ZIMMERMAN CAMERA MOUNTING Filed Jan. 31, 1934 INVENTOR ARTHUR a.ZIMMERMAN BY fig gm ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES\PATENT' OFFICE CAMERA MOUNTING Arthur G. Zimmerman, Westmont, N. 1.,assignor to Radio Co poration of America, a corporation of Delaware Thepresent invention relates to a camera mounting, and particularly to adevice adapted to be supported upon a tripod and to mount a Anotherobject of my invention is to provide a camera mount which will hold asound and picture camera rigid in relation to the amplifier therefor. I

Another object of my invention is to provide a camera mount which willhold an amplifier in such relation to the camera that the variousindicators on the amplifier are readily visible to the operator of thecamera.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mount for holding anamplifier in such relation to a motion picture camera that the controlsof the amplifier are readily accessible to the opera tion of the camera.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a mount which willhold the amplifier and battery cases without defacing them.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a front view of my improved camera mountingshown in place upon a tripod and with the amplifierand battery cases andthe camera in operative position.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 and showing therelative positions of the various indicators and controls.

' The device of my invention is shown in the drawing as set up for usein cenjunction with an RCA Victor 16 mm. sound and picture camera whichis provided with a battery box 2 and an amplifier box I, the entiregroup of apparatus being supported, through the use of the device ofthis invention, upon the tripod I.

My improved camera support involves a cross member 5 adapted to besecured to the top of the tripod l, and a plurality of yokes 6 attachedto the 45 said cross-member.

The cross-member I is made in the form of a channel of sumcient width tofit over the top of the tripod, and is provided with a central orificethrough which the camera clamping screw I of the tripod 4 may pass. Thisclamping screw fits into the usual socket in the base of the camera Iand the camera and clamping screw therefore hold this cross-member ifirmly on the top of the tripod. The yokes 8 consist of metal straps 55bent to the shape shown and secured to the channel member 5 by bolts 8and wing nuts 9 so that the apparatus can bereadily dis-assembledwithout the use of tools. The yokes 6 are each provided with a lining ofsponge rubber III which serves several purposes: due to the resilienceof 5 the sponge rubber the cases 2 and 3 are held firmly in theyokes inspite of slight variations in the dimensions of the cases or yokes sincean accurate fit is not necessary, and the sponge rubber preventsabrasion oi the cases by the yokes. It also 10 serves to insulate theamplifier from mechanical disturbances.

It will be noted that the amplifier and battery cases are held rigid intheir relation to the camera by the mounting device, and this rigidrelation 5 permits me to counter-balance the camera in a novel fashion.The amplifier and battery cases are mounted at such a height in relationto the horizontal axis of movement of the tripod that camera.

The amplifier is provided with avolume in'dicator M which is shieldedfrom stray light by the cover I5 and it will be apparent from Fig. 2that my device holds the amplifier in such position that this volumeindicator can be readily viewed by the operator of the camera withoutthe necessity for his removing his eye an appreciable distance from thefinder IS.

The volume control I! of the amplifier is con veniently close to theoperators left under any 40 normal operative position of the device.

The particular amplifier and battery boxes shown are provided withstraps i8 by which the cases 2 and 3 can be mounted on the operator'sbelt if he desires to operate the camera in his hands instead of upon atripod, and in transporting the apparatus it is usually convenient tocarry the amplifier and the battery box either in such fashion or by astrap over the shoulder. It will be apparent that when it is desired toset up the apparatus on a tripod, it is merely necessary.

for the operator to place the casings '2 and 3 in the yokes 6 which arethen tightened to the cross-member 5 by the wing nuts 9. The crossmembcr5 is then placed in the tripod, the camera placed on top or it, and thescrew I tightened.

Any appropriate microphone can be connected to the apparatus byconnecting the cable thereof to the receptacle I8.

I claim: .5 1. A support for talking motion picture apparatus comprisinga cross-bar adapted to be.

motion picture camera resting upon the crossbar, a yoke at each end oi.said cross-bar adapted to support an amplifier and a battery box inbalanced relation with each other and with said camera, and a spongerubber lining in each of said yokes.-

3. A support for talking motion picture apparatus comprising a cross-baradapted to be supported upona tripod, and clamped thereto by a motionpicture camera resting upon the cross-bar, and a yoke at the bottom ofeach end 01 said crossbar adapted to support an amplified and a batterybox in balanced relation to each other and to i the camera.

4. A support for talking motion picture apparatus comprising a cross-baradapted to be supported upon a tripod and clamped thereto by a motionpicture camera resting upon the crossbar, a yoke at each end of saidcross-bar adapted to support an amplifier and a battery box in balancedrelation to each other and to the camera,

- and a sponge rubber lining in each of said yokes.

5. A mount for a talking motion picture camera adapted to be supportedupon a movable tripod head comprising means for supporting a cameraabove said mount,-and means for supporting an amplifier adapted toactuate said camera and a battery adapted to actuate said amplifier inbalanced relation below said mount, whereby said camera, said amplifier,and said battery are maintained in balanced equilibrium about all axesof motion of said tripod head.

.m'mun G. ZIMMERMAN.

